Console for random access filing equipment or the like having push button display

ABSTRACT

An operator&#39;&#39;s console for such apparatus as random access filing equipment includes a readily interchangeable, back-lighted view panel marked off into individually illuminable signal selection areas. The panel is imperforate but flexible. In back of it is a bank of light-transmitting bars, one behind each area. Any one of the bars is depressible by finger pressure exerted against the corresponding, overlying area, to cause the bar to operate a switch that illuminates an associated lamp the light from which is transmitted through the bar to visibly indicate the selected area. The switches also actuate signal generating devices, so that when certain areas have been selected and illuminated as a visible indication of their selection, the signals corresponding thereto will be transmitted to the associated apparatus. If for example said apparatus is random access filing equipment, the transmitted signals may be operable to produce a coded, randomly filed card or cards corresponding to the selection made by the user.

United States Patent Cross, Jr.

[ 51 June 5, 1973 Primary ExaminerHarold I. Pitts AttorneySperry and Zoda 7 T [75] Inventor: Laurence Allan Cross, Jr., [5 1 ABSTRAC Groveville, N.J. An operators console for such apparatus as random access filing equipment includes a readily interchange- [73] Asslgnee' Randomahc Data systems able, back-lighted view panel marked off into in- Trenton, NJ.

dlvidually illuminable signal selection areas. The panel [22] Filed: Oct. 5, 1970 is imperforate but flexible. in back of it is a bank of light-transmitting bars, one behind each area. Any one [21] Appl' 77970 of the bars is depressible by finger pressure exerted against the corresponding, overlying area, to cause the [52] US. Cl. ..340/38l R, 340/380 R, 340/378 A bar to operate a switch that illuminates an associated [51] Int. Cl. ..G08b 5/36 lamp the light from which is transmitted through the [58] Field of Search 340/380 R, 381 R, bar to visibly indicate the selected area. The switches 340/378 A also actuate signal generating devices, so that when certain areas have been selected and illuminated as a [56] References Cited visible indication of their selection, the signals corresponding thereto will be transmitted to the as- UNITED STATES PATENTS sociated apparatus. If for example said apparatus is 2,720,613 10 1955 Lustig ..34o 3s0 x random access filing q p the transmitted 3,200,375 8/1965 ...340/286 X signals may be operable to produce a coded, randomly 3,506,336 4/1970 ...340/380X filed card or cards corresponding to the selection 2,813,266 11 1957 ...340/378 A made by the user, 3,246,318 4/1966 340/378 A 12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures I48 M /4 14B 1! 46 4 y a n l1 l1 1, damn new suu. SALARY Osnrus OSPECIALYIES OEDUCATIOII k @AnulmsramViQAccounmn @ovzn 25,000 {54 I @nmmwczss @Aumron "z HR TRADE I? 0-25,ooo (Drowns; (Eggs m. (D 60353 53 @unxzn gas-19,000 I OEuemaemua OBOOKKEEPEIR OlZ-MOOO i y @nnnz: Ornmmn Qanoxzn Ole-H.000 I O=mg g comnou.ER Oman-9,000 @ssmon Pm1oLL iiiisz/ runner H I Oomczsnus Qimig g rsn OIZS-ISO 11a... @211122'? .Awzsmz 4 OTECHNICIANS o'ggfi' 'fi OuuoERwo 2 I Oorusnuaacl Oormzntusc) OoPzn (90mm: (EWESSYTSMWS @umnowtmz 1 1 l I I. l l. 25 n 91" Q i g z 94 78 Il /02 RESET 0 space '1, 1

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Patent ed June 5, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V E NTO R Lnwaeuce ALLEN CamJn ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1973 Sheets-Sheet 2 N V E NTO R LQWQEMCE mm: 82min ATTORNEYS Pmwmd June 5, 1973 3,737,898

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NV E N TOR lam/[mum flmu Camp/4 CONSOLE FOR RANDOM ACCESS FILING EQUIPMENT OR THE LIKE HAVING PUSH BUTTON DISPLAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the broad field of electrical communications. In a more particular sense, the invention has reference to keyboards, consoles, and like devices usable by an operator of information retrieval equipment or other apparatus designed to make use of electrical, coded signals transmitted (often from a remote location) as a response to selection of the code to be transmitted, by an individual operating the console.

In a more particular sense, the field of the invention relates to consoles coming within the general category specified above, so designed as to display visually and in an attractive, distinctive manner, the complete, selected code combination, the console being adapted to discharge this function in addition to its basic function of transmitting said selected code combination to the apparatus utilizing the coded signals.

This display function of the console permits an operator, lacking technical training, to make a selection without previous experience in operation of the equipment, since the display console may graphically indicate the digits of the complete, coded number in terms of readily comprehended legends. Thus, for example, when the console is used by a real estate agency, various columns of the display console may indicate basic house types, residential locations, special features of the home, etc. Or, if the display console is used, to give another example, by an employment agency, the various columns may indicate main occupational fields; skills; salaries desired; education; etc.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has heretofore been proposed, broadly, to provide display consoles in which the operator is afforded a visible, graphic representation of the code impressed upon the information retrieval or other signal utilizing apparatus involved. However, these consoles have heretofore had certain deficiencies, in respect to the complexity of the console structure; the failure to provide a truly graphic indication of the selected code; the lack of versatility as regards replacement of circuit components of the console to adapt the equipment for usage in various, differing business environments; the excessive pressures required to operate the console; and the inability, specifically with respect to changing the view panel of the console, to swiftly adapt the same for the above-mentioned, differing usages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Summarized briefly, the invention is an illuminated display console for information retrieval equipment or other signal utilizing apparatus, capable of storing discretely selected information, and upon command reading out such information electronically, to cause appropriately attached peripheral equipment to respond to the selected information. To this end, the display console utilizes, for descriptor identification, a photographic negative which when attached to the console is back lighted for ease in reading. The negative is quickly and easily removed, and exchanged for another negative carrying a different series of descriptors. The photographic negative constitutes a view panel, and in accordance with the invention is preferably arranged in columns, each of which is subdivided into blocks. Each block has a number, symbol, or marking having correspondence to a light transmitting tube or bar, the front end of which is disposed immediately in back of the associated block, but is normally not readily visible through or projected beyond the block due to the fact that the view panel is of an imperforate, though flexible, material.

By a light pressure on a selected block, the operator depresses the light transmitting bar. This causes the bar to close a switch within the console, as a result of which an electrical circuit, associated directly with the selected block, is established to illuminate a lamp within the console. The lamp, associated with the depressed bar, is thus energized to transmit light through the bar, thereby lighting up the block against which the light, finger pressure was exerted by the user. At the same time, the closure of the switch causes a code signal, associated directly with the particular selected block, to be stored until the complete code combination has been selected by the user. Then, under the control of the user, the selected code combination is transmitted to the information retrieval apparatus which makes appropriate response. For example, the information retrieval equipment may be a random access filing apparatus such as covered by U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,186 of Jan. 25, 1966; U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,631 of Dec. 20, 1966; U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,492 of Feb. 7, 1967; U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,242 ofJune 18, 1968; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,617 of Dec. 30, 1969. Or, the display console may be utilized for operating code card punch apparatus such as shown, for example, in my application Ser. No. 773,895 filed Nov. 6, 1968, allowed June 3, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,255.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a console according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, front elevational view of the console, portions being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the console, on a scale smaller than that of FIG. 2, taken substantially on line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through the console, on the same scale as FIG. 3, taken substantially on line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary detail sectional view on the same cutting plane as FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary sectional view substantially on line 6 6 of FIG. 4, illustrating the main partition or divider plate of the console;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view on an enlarged scale, illustrating the construction of the divider plate or partition assembly, in association with the light transmitting bars;

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram illustrating the circuitry directly controlled by depression of the light transmitting bars of the console; and

FIG. 9 is a somewhat diagramatic perspective view showing the switch mechanism for sequential transmission of the code signals to the signal utilizing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The console constituting the present invention has been generally designated as 10, and has been illustrated per se in FIG. 1, in a typical form adapted especially for use upon ones desk, work table, or the like. Console may appropriately be considered as emgenerally designated 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

As shown to particular advantage in FIG. 3, the sup port structure 12 includes vertical side walls 14, fixedly joined in spaced relation by a back wall 16.

A translucent, vertically disposed, flat, comparatively rigid plastic sheet, which desirably may be of a clear plasticmaterial, provides a front wall 18, the opposite side edge portions of which are fixedly secured to outwardly bent, wide, flat front flanges 20 of side walls 14 (See FIG. 3). Vertically extending, flat spacer strips 22 are secured to the front surface of the front wall 18, adjacent the side edges of the front wall, to space outwardly from the front wall a pair of vertically extending view panel retaining strips 24 (FIGS. 1 and 3). This defines between the retaining strips 24 and the front wall 18 a pair of vertically extended view panel retaining grooves 26, opening toward each other to receive a removable, flexible view panel 134. To support the view panel against slippage in a downward direction, I provide a horizontally extended bottom retaining strip 28,

extending between the spacer strips 22, and above the Translucent front wall 18, vertical side strips 22, 24

defining confronting side grooves 26, and horizontal bottom and top retaining strips 28, 30, together constitute a view panel support assembly generally designated 31 and constituting one of the component portions of the support structure 12.

The support structure 12 also includes, as shown to best advantage in FIG. 4, confronting, channeled, horizontally extending, vertically spaced lower and upper front support plates 34, 36 respectively, fixedly secured at their opposite ends to and extending between the side walls 14.

Mounted upon each of the support plates 34, 36, is a set of fluorescent lamp holders 38, supporting fluorescent lamps 40 extending between side walls 14 in the bottom and top areas of the support structure. A divider or partition assembly within the console has been generally designated 41, and includes a vertically disposedmain divider plate or partition 42. This, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is spaced rearwardly from front wall 18, in parallel relation to the front wall. Main partition 42, as shown in FIG. 3, extends the full distance between side walls 14, being fixedly mounted upon the side walls by angle brackets 43. As shown in FIG. 4, the main partition also extends the full distance from the bottom to the top of the support structure 12, in back of the fluorescent lamps 40. Main partition 42 is opaque, and there is thus defined between front wall 18 and main partition 42 a light box 44 in which the fluorescent lamps 40 are disposed for the purpose of back lighting the front wall 18.

Referring again to FIG. 4, extended horizontally between and fixedly secured at their ends to the side walls 14, rearwardly of support plates 34, 36, are rear lower and upper support plates 46, 48 respectively. Fixedly secured to and extending vertically between plates 46, 48 are vertical support bars 50, corresponding in number and spacing to the columns delineated upon the view panel. For adding strength and rigidity to the support bars, they are preferably formed as angle members (See FIG. 3).

At this juncture, it is appropriate to observe that side walls 14, back wall 16, support plates 34, 36, 46, 48, and support bars 50, together constitute a support frame or chassis generally designated 51. This, like the view panel support assembly 31, comprises a compo nent portion of the support structure generally designated 12.

Reverting now to the partition assembly 41, this includes, in addition to the main partition 42, a series of lower and upper partition mounts 52, 54 respectively. The mounts 52 are secured to the lower support plate 46, extending normally to the plane of the main partition 42 as shown in FIG. 3 to best advantage. The lower partition mounts 52 alternate with the vertical support bars 50, and are formed as upwardly opening channels of molded plastic material or the like, having resilient retaining arms 53.

The upper partition mounts 54 are identical but opposite to the lower mounts, and are arranged in confronting relation thereto, whereby pairs of lower and upper mounts result, adapted to removably engage the upper and lower end portions of subdivider plates or auxiliary partitions 56 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 7). By reason of the construction of the lower and upper mounts, the auxiliary partitions can he slid into their operative positions shown in FIG. 4, and will be resiliently gripped at their upper and lower ends by their associated mounts. Removal of each auxiliary partition, independently of the remaining partitions, is effected with equal facility, merely by grasping the rear edge portion thereof and pulling the same rearwardly out of engagement with the upper and lower partition mounts.

Mounted upon each of the auxiliary partitions, adjacent the rear edge thereof, is a vertical 'row or series of lamp sockets 58 (See FIGS. 4 and 7), receiving small lamps 60. Sockets 58 and lamps 60 define an illumination means, with each socket and lamp being individual to a block of the view panel of the console.

Mounted upon and projecting rearwardly from the main partition 32 are elongated, vertically extending terminal blocks 61, having longitudinal, rearwardly opening slots adapted to receive the front edge portions of the respective auxiliary partitions.

It may thus be observed that the partition assembly 41 can appropriately be considered as comprising the main partition 42, the partition mounts 52, 54, the auxiliary partitions 56, and the terminal blocks 61. Partition assembly 41 comprises a third component of the support structure 12.

The terminal blocks are secured to the main partition by means of screws 63, with spaces being provided for the purpose of spacing the terminal blocks rearwardly from the main partition a short distance as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Associated with each lamp 60 is a light transmitting bar 62, in the form of an elongated, straight, solid bar of polished, optically clear plastic. Each bar has its rear end disposed in close proximity, as shown in FIG. 4, to its associated lamp 60, as a result of which energizing of the associated lamp will cause light to be transmitted through the length of the bar 62, to and out of the forward end of said bar. In some instances, the bar may be a tube, it being mainly important that it has the characteristic of transmitting the light from the energized lamp to the view panel.

The bars, thus, are arranged in vertical rows, each vertical row or series being aligned with a vertical column of the view panel, with the several tubes or bars of each series being individual to the blocks into which each column of the view panel is divided.

The several vertical support bars 50 have the function of mounting the rear end portions of the bars 62 for slidable movement, and to this end the vertical support bars 50 have openings 64 in which bars 62 are slidably received. Cooperating with the vertical support bars 50 to slidably mount the bars 62 is the front wall 18, which has openings 65 slidably receiving the front ends of the bars 62, and main partition 42, having openings 66 slidably engaging the intermediate portions of the bars 62. Caps 68 may be of a translucent, colored plastic (for example, red), so that each marking of the view panel, when illuminated by light transmitted through its associated bar 62, will be distinctly contrasted with the normal back lighting of the entire view panel.

Referring to FIG. 5, a collar 69 on each bar 62, bears against the apertured, free end (See also FIG. 6) of a movable switch contact 70, the other end of which is affixed to the main partition 42. The movable switch contacts are spring tensioned to bear against their associated collars 69, and thus normally bias the bars 62 axially to the right in FIG. 5, in which position of the bars their caps 68 bear lightly against the back surface of the view panel. In this position of the parts, the movable switch contacts are spaced from stationary or fixed switch contacts 72 which, like the free ends of the movable switch contacts, are of annular form (See FIG. 6).

The several bars 62 are also provided, adjacent their rear ends, with stop collars 74, which bear against the back surfaces of the vertical support bars or brackets 50 when the tubes or bars 62 are in their normal, forwardly biased positions. This limits forward movement of the bars 62 under the spring bias of the movable switch contacts beyond a position in which the caps 68 bear against the view panel.

The stationary switch contacts 72 are integral components of a printed or stamped circuit provided upon the front surface of the main partition 42 and shown to particular advantage in FIG. 6. This includes, as will be apparent from FIG. 6, a bus-type connection 76 common to all of the stationary contacts 72, with the exception of those at the top of each column. The stationary switch contacts at the top of each column have a bustype, printed circuit connection 77 common to all of the stationary contacts at the upper ends of the several columns of the view panel.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is here illustrated the basic circuitry associated with the code selection blocks or areas of 134, that is, those areas other than the uppermost one of each column (which as will presently appear, has been reversed as a column-clearing block or area rather than for code signal selection). FIG. 8 shows only four lamps; however, the number is not critical. Indeed, in FIG. 2, the first three columns each contain ten signal selection areas (and hence, an equal number of lamps). Each lamp 60, as noted previously herein, is normally deenergized, and is illuminated responsive to closing of the associated momentary switch contacts 70, 72.

In this connection, it will be noted that in FIG. 8, the location of the wiring in reference to main printed circuit board or partition 42, the terminal block 61, and the auxiliary partition or printed circuit board of the column, has been represented in dotted outline.

Assuming the momentary closure of switch contacts 70, 72 shown as the uppermost set of such contacts in FIG. 8, current will flow from a positive source of electrical current through the common bus 76, through the momentarily closed switch contacts 70, 72, and thence to the gate or trigger 78 of a silicon-controlled rectifier 80 individual to the affected lamp 60 (which in the example being described would be the uppermost lamp in FIG. 8).

The SCR 80, as shown in FIG. 8, is connected between the source of electrical current and lamp 60 associated therewith, and when trigger current is furnished to the SCR responsive to the momentary closing of the switch contacts 70, 72, power will flow through the lamp 60 to illuminate the same and cause light to be transmitted through the associated bar 62 to the front end of said bar.

The combination of the SCR 80 and lamp 60 also constitutes the storage and electronic output of the device.

The current flowing through the SCR 80 and lamp 60 will flow directly to and through a path 82, and thence back through common connection 83 to the source of electrical current.

A resistance 84 is also common to the several lamps 60 of the column, and is connected in series with each of said lamps and the return or negative side of the power circuit. The electrical path 82 associated with each lamp 60, when said electrical path is closed, will cause current to flow directly from the illuminated lamp 60 back to the source of electrical current, without passage through the resistance 84. Further, when the electrical path 82 associated with a particular lamp 60 is closed, current will flow through that path, rather than through the winding of a relay 86 associated with said lamp. As will be noted, in the illustrated example, a separate relay 86 is individual to each lamp 60 of a column.

The relay 86 associated with each lamp 60 is a typical load, and instead of a relay there could be other means such as an inductor, not shown, representative of a load in a typical piece of peripheral apparatus A shown diagramatically in FIG. 5. Said apparatus, typically, might be a piece of random access filing equipment, such as shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,617, issued to me on Dec. 30, 1969.

Designated at 87 is a diagramatic representation of a code matrix, which would be normally incorporated between the lamps and the several relays 86 or equivalent loads. By incorporation of said code matrix, the display console may be electrically wired in such a manner as to be capable of driving a varied array of peripheral equipment, such as punching and/or sorting and selecting devices.

In effect, such a code matrix is a decoding mechanism, conventional in and of itself.

Designated at 88 are normally open relay contacts, adapted to be closed responsive to energization of the relays respectively'associated with the several sets of such relay contacts. Responsive to energization of a particular relay 86, the associated contacts 88 will close, so as to transmit an impulse to the peripheral equipment or apparatus A. It may thus be noted that the code matrix 87, relay winding 86, and relay contacts 88 associated with each lamp 60 constitute a signal generating circuit means generally designated 89, adapted to transmit a signal through leads 90 to the peripheral equipment or apparatus A for utilization in said apparatus.

At 92, I have indicated a supporting base for the console, on which there would normally be provided (See FIG. 2) filing tray selector keys 94, 96, a punch on" 98, a display clear" key 100, a display operate key 102, and a code selection keyboard 104.

Keys 94, 96 are adapted to connect the console with either or both of a plurality of pieces of random access filing equipment such as shown in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,617. As indicated in that patent, the operator has the capability, by punching keys such as 94, 96, of operatively connecting to the code transmitting console or keyboard a plurality of different pieces of filing equipment, and this is the purpose of the keys 94, 96.

Key 98 has the function of connecting to the console a punching device such as shown in my US. Pat. No. 3,536,255 issued Oct. 27, 1970. In other words, the console may be connected not only to filing equipment, but also to card punching equipment, and by punching key 98, the console is switched into operative, codetransmitting relation to the punching rather than to the filing equipment.

Key 100 is utilized to erase or clear the entire display, in the event an error is made by the user, so that all lamps 60 that may have been illuminated are completely and simultaneously deenergized, together with their associated signal generating circuit means 89. To this end, key 100 is utilized to operate a momentary switch 105 in the common connection 76 extending from the source of electrical power. This switch, normally closed, when opened cuts off power flow to all of the lamps 60 and associated signal generating circuit means 89.

Key 102, as shown in FIG. 8, operates a motor 106, which is mounted within the base 92. Motor 106 is adapted to rotate an elongated cam shaft 108 through a single 360 cycle. Mounted upon shaft 108 in axially spaced relation are cams 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120, having cam recesses 121. The cams are so arranged that the recess 121 of each cam is angularly displaced in respect to the corresponding recess of the cam next following the same in the sense of a direction taken along the shaft from the motor 106 to the distal end of the shaft.

The motor, when operated through a single cycle of rotation, thus causes switches 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132, having movable arms in contact with the cam peripheries, to be successively opened. The switches are normally closed when their arms are in engagement with the non-indented portions of the cam peripheries. Each time a switch arm moves into the recess 121 of its associated cam, the switch is momentarily opened.

Referring to FIG. 8, the several switches 110 through 120 are mounted in the electrical paths 82 associated with the several individual lamp circuits. Each time a switch in such path is opened, the lamp 60 associated therewith is then placed in series with resistance 84 and the particular relay winding 86 (that is, the particular signal generating circuit means 89) associated with that lamp.

The purpose of resistance 84 is to sustain and hold in a conducting condition the SCR through which current flows to the particular lamp 60 involved. It will be appreciated that switch as shown in FIG. 8, serves the first vertical column in the viewing panel; switch 112 serves the second column; etc.

Considering now the particular characteristics of the viewing panel, as will be noted from FIGS. 2 and 10 said panel is divided into a series of vertical columns 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, and 146. The viewing panel, further, is divided by a series of horizontal line markings within each column, to provide a multiplicity of individual blocks in each column. In columns 136, 138, 140, the exemplary viewing panel has an uppermost block containing the column title. Thus, the illustrated viewing panel, adapted for use by employment agencies, has a first column entitled main field. The remaining blocks of the column, accordingly, show various main or broad occupational groupings, as for example administrative; data processing; design and drafting; engineering; financial; etc.

The three righthand columns in the illustrated example, designated 142, 144, and 146, are divided by horizontal line markings into only half as many blocks (not counting the title block) as the columns 136, 138, 140.

The view panel, in accordance with the invention, is a sheet of flexible, imperforate material. Advantageously, I employ a photographic negative which when positioned against the translucent front wall 18 is back lighted for ease in reading. The legends within the several blocks (for example the legends MAIN FIELD, SKILL; etc., in the title blocks), as well as the block and column dividing lines, are transparent and thus are effectively illuminated by the back lighting means previously described herein.

Located directly over the front ends of the several light transmitting bars 62, or more properly the caps 68 of said bars, are transparent, large markings 148 of the title blocks and 150 of the remaining blocks of each column. The markings 148 in the presence instance, are transparent circles concentric with the caps 68. The markings 150 are transparent arabic numerals 1 through 0 of columns 136, 138, and and 1 through 5 of columns 142, 144, and 146.

Each block, with the exception of the title blocks, comprises a signal selection area 151 of the viewing panel. By finger pressure exerted against the viewing panel (See FIG. 5) in any selected area 151, the light tube or bar 62 in back of that area will be depressed, that is, will be shifted to the left in FIG. 5 against the restraint of the springable, movable switch contact 70 associated therewith.

The tubes or bars in back of the markings 148 of the title blocks of the several columns, that is, the uppermost block of each column, operate switches that are not for signal selection purposes, but rather, are for the purpose of clearing the column. For example, if in the first column the operator has erroneously exerted pressure in area 151 entitled Financial, it is necessary only to exert pressure in the uppermost block, entitled MAIN FIELD, to clear the column so that the correct signal selection area can be used.-

As noted above, the viewing panel is of a flexible material. Any of various viewing panels can be selected, for use in different fields of business, without modification of any kind of the display console proper or the apparatus associated therewith as peripheral equipment. For example, let it be assumed that one desires to use the display console, and random access filing equipment such as shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,617, in a national employment agency business. At a central location, coded cards are maintained, in which each individual registered with the agency is represented by a card bearing a particular code according to that individuals qualifications and experience. A view panel such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10 can in this event be employed. In use, assume for example that a call has come in for an individual trained in the financial field. For example, let it be assumed that a call has come in for individuals registered with the agency who are in the financial field, possess experience as accountants, are in a salary range of $20,000.00 $25,000.00, are qualified to occupy the status of a senior accountant, are desired with specialties in taxation, budgets, costs, and cash, and possess advanced degrees as well as a certified public accountants certificate. In this instance, the operator of the display console would press lightly the signal selection areas 151 corresponding to the categories specified. A single selection only is made in column 136, 138, and 140, that is, these are binary columns in which one choice is made per column. The three righthand columns, however, are linear, permitting a multiple choice per column. Thus, in column 144 in the illustrated example, the user may activate areas designated tax and budgets, costs, cash.

This, however, is not necessarily the only arrangement permitted, and is purely by way of example.

Having made each selection, the user observes that each time an area 151 receives his or her finger pressure, the main marking 150 thereof lights up, due to the fact that the light bar 62 has been depressed by the finger pressure, and has caused the associated lamp 60 to be illuminated.

After selections have been made in the various columns, the user depresses key 102. This, as previously noted herein, operates motor 106, so as to cause a sequential transmission of signals to apparatus A, starting with column 136 and continuing to the right through column 146.

As set forth in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,617, it is not necessary to make selections in all six columns, and one can select code numbers for transmission having fewer than the six digits represented by the six columns.

As thus disclosed, the peripheral equipment then selects all coded cards that respond to the complete code combination represented by the selected areas 151 and transmitted to apparatus A. The circuitry employed in the transmission is shown to particular advantage in my above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,617, and .is not, accordingly, further described or illustrated herein.

The same display console can be used, without change, in fields other than the employment agency field illustrated'and described by way of example. For example, merely by removing the view panel 134 shown, and substituting a view panel for use in the real estate agency field (for example), the same equipment can be used, both as to the display console and the random access filing equipment. In this instance, the columnar and block legends and designations would be adapted particularly for the real estate field. Thus, the first column might represent and be entitled RESI- DENTIAL AREAS; the second column might be titled PRICE RANGE; etc. In this case the coded cards would represent properties for sale. There is no change, however, in the equipment itself and the same equipment can be sold to different fields of industry or of merchandising, without changing anything more than the viewing panels. Indeed, in the same field or business environment, different viewing panels can be substituted from time to time, can be updated, or other wise changed, according to the needs of the business,

again without any change or modification whatever of the equipment itself. Each view panel has its side edge portions loosely engaged in the retaining grooves 26, and when so positioned is ready for use.

It may be observed, further, that the keyboard 104 is used for selecting or punching a separate code. For example, the cards maintained in the peripheral filing equipment may be edge coded along their bottom edges, in such fashion as to permit the peripheral equipment to select cards when the code is selected by pressure against areas 151 and then transmitted to the filing equipment. The same cards, however, may be edge coded along their top edges, and in this case, the keyboard 104 may be employed for the purpose of producing a response in the peripheral filing equipment, designed to select cards according to these auxiliary codes punched onto the cards. In the real estate field, for example, the top edges of the filed cards may represent multiple listing code numbers. This is the reason why, in the illustrated example, the markings of the signal selection areas 151 are in the form of arabic numerals corresponding to those on keyboard 104.

An important feature of the invention, it may be observed, resides in the provision of auxiliary partitions 56, that not only serve to confine light to prevent its transmission through adjacent but unselected bars 62, but also serve to constitute printed circuit boards or plates, connectable to the printed circuit of main partition 42 responsive merely to the insertion of the auxiliary partitions in the terminal blocks 61 in the manner shown in FIG. 7. Within the terminal blocks, it will be understood, connections are provided extending from the main partition 42, and these connections are properly joined to cooperating connections in the auxiliary partitions 56 responsive to the mounting of said auxiliary partitions.

By reason of this arrangement, a main light box and auxiliary light boxes (defined between adjacent auxiliary partitions) are defined, and at the same time, the auxiliary partitions can be individually, swiftly interchanged, to change the circuit characteristics thereon.

For example, one may desire to change the code characteristics of the various columns. Assume, for example, that one desires three binary columns and three linear columns. This, in fact, is the illustrated example. If it is desired to modify the equipment so as to have two binary columns (columns 136,- and 138) and the rest as linear columns, one need only replace the auxiliary partition associated with column 140, substituting an auxiliary partition designed for linear code transmission. This increases markedly the versatility of the equipment, at extremely low cost.

I claim:

1. A console for use with signal utilizing apparatus, comprising:

a. a support structure;

0. normally de-energized electric lamps individual to the several areas;

d. normally inactive signal generating circuit means for the several areas; and

e. light-transmitting bars individual to the several areas for simultaneously energizing the lamp and signal generating circuit means associated with a selected area, responsive to the exertion of pressure against the bar individual to said area, said support structure including a partition assembly having 1. a main, vertically disposed, opaque partition spaced rearwardly from and generally parallel to the view panel to define a main light box therebetween disposed in back of substantially the entire area of said panel and containing constantly energized illuminating devices for backlighting the view panel over substantially its entire area, and 2. a plurality of auxiliary partitions extending from the main partition normally thereto and disposed wholly rearwardly of and outside the main light box to define behind the main light box a plurality of secondary light boxes each of which contains at least one lamp, said bars extending through each secondary light box and the main light box and adapted to pipe light from each lamp to its associated signal selection area, said bars having rear ends terminating within the secondary light boxes in close proximity to their associated lamps and having intermediate portions mounted in the main partition for axial sliding movement in response to the exertion of pressure by a user on the view panel against the front ends of the bars; and

f. electrical switches operated by the depressed bars to energize said lamps and activate said signal generating circuit means, each lamp, bar, signal selection marking, and switch associated with a given area being aligned in a straight line extending between the view panel and lamp, said bars being axially slidable along said lines when pressure is exerted thereon by a user.

2. A console as in claim 1 wherein said switches include stationary switch contacts mounted on the main partition and movable switch contacts shiftable by the depressed bars into engagement with the stationary contacts.

3. A console as in claim 2 wherein the main partition is a printed circuit board on which the several stationary contacts are part of a printed circuit in which is incorporated a bus-type common connection of all the stationary contacts to one side of an electrical power circuit.

4. A console as in claim 3 wherein the several auxiliary partitions comprise printed circuit boards, each having printed circuit connections extending from said movable switch contacts to the lamps controlled thereby.

5. A console as in claim 4 wherein the partition as-- sembly further includes a series of terminal blocks.

mounted upon the main partition and detachably .engaging the respective auxiliary partitions so as to facilitate interchange of said auxiliary partitions at the option of a user, at least one contact of each of said switches being connected electrically through the medium of the terminal block and the printed circuit connections of the auxiliary partition engaged by the block, with its associated lamp and signal generating circuit means. i

6. A console for use with signal utilizing equipment, comprising:

a. a support structure;

b. a viewing panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having an illuminable marking corresponding to a selectable electrical signal;

c. a series of lamps, one to illuminate the marking of each of said areas, mounted rearwardly of the viewing panel in spaced relation to and substantially in alignment with their associated markings,

d. a series of signal generating circuit means paired with said lamps so as to be energized simultaneously therewith;

e. a series of switches individual to the several lamps and markings, each switch being disposed intermediate its associated lamp and marking substantially in alignment therewith, in circuit with and controlling the energization of the respective lamps and signal generating circuit means; and

f. means responding to selection of an area by a user for operating the switch associated with the selected area, said switch-operating means comprising a series of light-transmitting switch-actuating bars movably mounted upon said support structure in position to be moved to a switch-closing position by finger pressure exerted by a user on the viewing panel, said bars extending rectilinearly from said lamps past the switches to said markings and being axially movable to their switch-closing positions, so as to illuminate said markings when their associated lamps are energized.

7. A console as in claim 6 wherein the support structure includes a view panel support assembly against which the view panel is positioned, said assembly having openings in which the several bars are mounted for axial sliding movement, said bars having one end projecting forwardly to receive said finger pressure exerted by the user.

8. A console as in claim 7 wherein the view panel comprises an imperforate sheet overlying the projecting ends of the bars and having said markings in registration with the bars to provide illuminable locations against which the pressure is to be exerted by the user.

9. A console for use with signal utilizing equipment, comprising:

a. a support structure;

b. a viewing panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having an illuminable marking corresponding to a selectable electrical signal; l

c. a series of lamps, one to illuminate the marking of each of said areas, mounted rearwardly of the viewing panel;

d. a series of signal generating circuit means paired with said lamps so as to be energized simultaneously therewith;

e. a series of switches controlling the energization of the respective lamps and signal generating circuit means; and

f. means responding to selection of an area by a user for operating the switch associated with the selected area, said switching-operating means comprising a series of light-transmitting switchactuating bars movably mounted upon said support structure in position to be moved to a switchclosing position by finger pressure exerted by a user on the viewing panel, said bars extending from said lamps to said markings so as to illuminate said markings when their associated lamps are energized, said support structure including a view panel support assembly against which the view panel is positioned, said assembly having openings in which the several bars are mounted for axial sliding movement, said bars having one end projecting forwardly to receive said finger pressure exerted by the user, said sheet being of a material flexible at said locations when pressure is exerted thereagainst soras to transmit said pressure to the adjacent bar ends directly through the imperforate, selected areas of the sheet.

10. A console as in claim 9 wherein said view panel support assembly includes retaining grooves at its sides loosely detachably engaging the view panel at opposite sides thereof without inhibiting flexibility of the selected, pressure-receiving areas thereof.

11. A console as in claim 10 in which each of said switches includes a spring arm constituting one of the contacts of the switch and tensioned to yieldably, resiliently bias the associated switch-actuating bar forwardly into a pressure-receiving position proximate the view panel.

12. A console for use with signal utilizing apparatus, comprising:

a. a support structure;

b. a view panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas;

c. illumination means for the several areas comprising lamps individual to said areas;

d. signal generating circuit means for the several areas; and

e. means for actuating the illumination means and the signal generating circuit means of a given area to generate a signal available for transmission to an associated signal utilizing apparatus simultaneously with visibly indicating said area, responsive to the exertion of pressure by a user against the panel in said area, comprising a series of straight, rigid, light-transmitting push bars, there being one bar for each area mounted in the support structure for reciprocating motion and having one end contiguous to said panel to receive said pressure, the other end of each of said bars being disposed adjacent an associated lamp for transmission of light from said lamp through the bar to illuminate at least a part of the view panel area associated therewith, said actuating means further including stationary and movable switch contacts electrically controlling the respective illumination and signal generating means, each stationary contact being mounted alongside its associated push bar with its associated movable switch contact in the path of and shiftable by a projection on the moved bar into engagement with the stationary contact.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 737,898

Dated Tune 5, 1973 linv fl Laurence Allan Cross 1r.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5 line 61 delete "reversed" and insert reserved- Signed and sealed this 21st day of May 19%..

(SEAL) At 130 s t ll'Dl-f RD M .FLla'lTGHER JR C MARSHALL DAMN Atte sting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10 69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 w u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING orncz: 1969 0-3664, 

1. A console for use with signal utilizing apparatus, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a view panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having a signal selection marking; c. normally de-energized electric lamps individual to the several areas; d. normally inactive signal generating circuit means for the several areas; and e. light-transmitting bars individual to the several areas for simultaneously energizing the lamp and signal generating circuit means associated with a selected area, responsive to the exertion of pressure against the bar individual to said area, said support structure including a partition assembly having
 1. a main, vertically disposed, opaque partition spaced rearwardly from and generally parallel to the view panel to define a main light box therebetween disposed in back of substantially the entire area of said panel and containing constantly energized illuminating devices for backlighting the view panel over substantially its entire area, and
 2. a plurality of auxiliary partitions extending from the main partition normally thereto and disposed wholly rearwardly of and outside the main light box to define behind the main light box a plurality of secondary light boxes each of which contains at least one lamp, said bars extending through each secondary light box and the main light box and adapted to pipe light from each lamp to its associated signal selection area, said bars having rear ends terminating within the secondary light boxes in close proximity to their associated lamps and having intermediate portions mounted in the main partition for axial sliding movement in response to the exertion of pressure by a user on the view panel against the front ends of the bars; and f. electrical switches operated by the depressed bars to energize said lamps and activate said signal generating circuit means, each lamp, bar, signal selection marking, and switch associated with a given area being aligned in a straight line extending between the view panel and lamp, said bars being axially slidable along said lines when pressure is exerted thereon by a user.
 2. a plurality of auxiliary partitions extending from the main partition normally thereto and disposed wholly rearwardly of and outside the main light box to define behind the main light box a plurality of secondary light boxes each of which contains at least one lamp, said bars extending through each secondary light box and the main light box and adapted to pipe light from each lamp to its associated signal selection area, said bars having rear ends terminating within the secondary light boxes in close proximity to their associated lamps and having intermediate portions mounted in the main partition for axial sliding movement in response to the exertion of pressure by a user on the view panel against the front ends of the bars; and f. electrical switches operated by the depressed bars to energize said lamps and activate said signal generating circuit means, each lamp, bar, signal selection marking, and switch associated with a given area being aligned in a straight line extending between the view panel and lamp, said bars being axially slidable along said lines when pressure is exerted thereon by a user.
 2. A console as in claim 1 wherein said switches include stationary switch contacts mounted on the main partition and movable switch contacts shiftable by the depressed bars into engagement with the stationary contacts.
 3. A console as in claim 2 wherein the main partition is a printed circuit board on which the several stationary contacts are part of a printed circuit in which is incorporated a bus-type common connection of all the stationary contacts to one side of an electrical power circuit.
 4. A console as in claim 3 wherein the several auxiliary partitions comprise printed circuit boards, each having printed circuit connections extending from said movable switch contacts to the lamps controlled thereby.
 5. A console as in claim 4 wherein the partition assembly further includes a series of terminal blocks mounted upon the main partition and detachably engaging the respective auxiliary partitions so as to facilitate interchange of said auxiliary partitions at the option of a user, at least one contact of each of said switches being connected electrically through the medium of the terminal block and the printed circuit connections of the auxiliary partition engaged by the block, with its associated lamp and signal generating circuit means.
 6. A console for use with signal utilizing equipment, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a viewing panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having an illuminable marking corresponding to a selectable electrical signal; c. a series of lamps, one to illuminate the marking of each of said areas, mounted rearwardly of the viewing panel in spaced relation to and substantially in alignment with their associated markings, d. a series of signal generating circuit means paired with said lamps so as to be energized simultaneously therewith; e. a series of switches individual to the several lamps and markings, each switch being disposed intermediate its associated lamp and marking substantially in alignment therewith, in circuit with and controlling the energization of the respective lamps and signal generating circuit means; and f. means responding to selection of an area by a user for operating the switch associated with the selected area, said switch-operating means comprising a series of light-transmitting switch-actuating bars movably mounted upon said support structure in position to be moved to a switch-closing position by finger pressure exerted by a user on the viewing panel, said bars extending rectilinearly from said lamps past the switches to said markings and being axially movable to their switch-closing positions, so as to illuminate said markings when their associated lamps are energized.
 7. A console as in claim 6 wherein the support structure includes a view panel support assembly against which the view panel is positioned, said assembly having openings in which the several bars are mounted for axial sliding movement, said bars having one end projecting forwardly to receive said finger pressure exerted by the user.
 8. A console as in claim 7 wherein the view panel comprises an imperforate sheet overlying the projecting ends of the bars and having said markings in registration with the bars to provide illuminable locations against which the pressure is to be exerted by the user.
 9. A console for use with signal utilizing equipment, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a viewing panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having an illuminable marking corresponding to a selectable electrical signal; c. a series of lamps, one to illuminate the marking of each of said areas, mounted rearwardly of the viewing panel; d. a series of signal generating circuit means paired with said lamps so as to be energized simultaneously therewith; e. a series of switches controlling the energization of the respective lamps and signal generating circuit means; and f. means responding to selection of an area by a user for operating the switch associated with the selected area, said switching-operating means comprising a series of light-transmitting switch-actuating bars movably mounted upon said support structure in position to be moved to a switch-closing position by finger pressure exerted by a user on the viewing panel, said bars extending from said lamps to said markings so as to illuminate said markings when their associated lamps are energized, said support structure including a view panel support assembly against which the view panel is positioned, said assembly having openings in which the several bars are mounted for axial sliding movement, said bars having one end projecting forwardly to receive said finger pressure exerted by the user, said sheet being of a material flexible at said locations when pressure is exerted thereagainst so as to transmit said pressure to the adjacent bar ends directly through the imperforate, selected areas of the sheet.
 10. A console as in claim 9 wherein said view panel support assembly includes retaining grooves at its sides loosely detachably engaging the view panel at opposite sides thereof without inhibiting flexibility of the selected, pressure-receiving areas thereof.
 11. A console as in claim 10 in which each of said switches includes a spring arm constituting one of the contacts of the switch and tensioned to yieldably, resiliently bias the associated switch-actuating bar forwardly into a pressure-receiving position proximate the view panel.
 12. A console for use with signal utilizing apparatus, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a view panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas; c. illumination means for the several areas comprising lamps individual to said areas; d. signal generating circuit means for the several areas; and e. means for actuating thE illumination means and the signal generating circuit means of a given area to generate a signal available for transmission to an associated signal utilizing apparatus simultaneously with visibly indicating said area, responsive to the exertion of pressure by a user against the panel in said area, comprising a series of straight, rigid, light-transmitting push bars, there being one bar for each area mounted in the support structure for reciprocating motion and having one end contiguous to said panel to receive said pressure, the other end of each of said bars being disposed adjacent an associated lamp for transmission of light from said lamp through the bar to illuminate at least a part of the view panel area associated therewith, said actuating means further including stationary and movable switch contacts electrically controlling the respective illumination and signal generating means, each stationary contact being mounted alongside its associated push bar with its associated movable switch contact in the path of and shiftable by a projection on the moved bar into engagement with the stationary contact. 